Friday 24 November 2006
Low endometrial sex hormone-binding globulin expression in PCOS
Source: Fertility and Sterility 2006; Advance online publication
Evaluating the protein and messenger RNA expression of sex hormone-binding globulin in endometrial tissue from women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have low endometrial expression of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHGB), and this appears to be closely related to the insulin resistance commonly seen with the condition, researchers state.
Evidence indicates that SHBG plays a key role in modifying the bioavailability of estrogens and androgens. It is thought that, in women with PCOS, a low SHBG serum concentration is linked with a high free androgen index, the authors write.
To investigate further, Margarita Vega, from the University of Chile, in Santiago, and co-investigators examined the protein and messenger (m)RNA SHBG expression of 33 women with PCOS, and 17 fertile, healthy, age-matched women.
They discovered that SHBG protein expression in stroma was lower in women with PCOS than in controls.
Furthermore, women with PCOS tended to have lower levels of mRNA of variant 548 base pair (wild-type) SHBG protein expression, compared with controls.
Women with normal insulin sensitivity and PCOS exhibited an expression of stromal SHBG similar to that observed in controls.
"Low SHBG expression in the endometrial stromal compartment of women with PCOS with insulin resistance may contribute to generate an abnormal steroid milieu," the scientists comment.
This environment "could induce alterations in the mechanisms regulating cell survival observed in endometria from women with PCOS," they conclude.
http://www.orgyn.com/en/news/2006/We...trial_sex_.asp
Low endometrial sex hormone-binding globulin expression in PCOS 
